light-4j: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-113682 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in light-4j from Networknt, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.4 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 2.4.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating light-4j to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.56% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update light-4j to 2.4.0 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.1 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.4 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
Networknt light-4j from 2.1.5 before 2.4.0 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in BasicAuthHandler that allows unauthenticated attackers to log in as LDAP/AD-delegated users. Attackers can send a Basic Authorization header with a known username and empty password, triggering an unauthenticated LDAP bind that is accepted as successful authentication.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
- github.com/networknt/light-4j/blob/2.3.7/basic-auth/src/main/java/com/networknt/basicauth/BasicAuthHandler.ja…
- github.com/networknt/light-4j/blob/2.3.7/ldap-util/src/main/java/com/networknt/ldap/LdapUtil.java#L152-L173
- github.com/networknt/light-4j/issues/2804
- vulncheck.com/advisories/networknt-light-4j-2.1.5-before-2.4.0-authentication-bypass-via-empty-ldap-password
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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